The United States will retaliate if it has to defend itself in Iraq

 The United States will retaliate if it has to defend itself in Iraq

Ain al-Assad's military base was hit by a missile last week. Photo AFP
   
The United States has said in response to a missile strike on an Ain al-Assad military base in Iraq that it would retaliate if it had to defend its interests in Iraq.
According to Reuters, in response to a missile attack on a US military base in Iraq called Ain al-Assad, the US Secretary of Defense said:
However, he said the United States would choose where and when the attack would take place.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in an interview with ABC Channel on Sunday that the United States would protect its troops and respond appropriately.
Last week, a missile struck the Ain al-Assad military base in Iraq's Anbar province, where US, Iraqi and other coalition forces are based.
The Secretary of Defense said the United States has asked Iraq to immediately investigate the incident and determine those responsible.
US officials have blamed Iranian-backed militias for the attack.
The Pentagon says no U.S. troops were injured in the missile strike, but a U.S. civilian contractor died of a heart attack while taking refuge in a shelter.
Ten rockets landed at the base, according to Iraqi officials. According to the Pentagon, the missiles were fired from different places.
It should be noted that the Ain al-Assad military base was also hit by a missile attack by Iran last year.